Digital Mammograms Deliver Less Radiation

Reported January 25, 2010

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- One of the largest mammography trials in history shows that the radiation dose associated with digital mammography is significantly lower than conventional film mammography.

Researchers found that digital mammography delivered 22 percent less radiation than conventional mammography. Previous studies also found it detected up to 28 percent more cancers in women younger than 50 and women with dense breasts.

"While the radiation dose from both the film and digital mammography are low, further dose reduction is an added benefit of digital mammography over and above its ability to better detect cancers in women with dense breasts," Edward Hendrick, Ph.D., and lead author of the study was quoted as saying.

Researchers believe access to digital mammography will continue to increase especially now that it is shown to significantly lower radiation dose.

SOURCE: American Journal of Roentgenology, February 2010